Reviews

Aluminum and more. Huawei has sent a stylish phone to our lab: An aluminum casing available in three different colors, quad-core SoC and a slim profile. Huawei's P6 should convince across the board with that, shouldn't it?

Big Fish. The market for convertibles based on Intel Atom processors is well populated. Silent, long battery life and low performance are characteristics often associated with this class of notebooks. Thankfully, the laptop uses the full version of Windows 8 (no Windows RT). In the following review, we will check whether the Lenovo test model can hold its own against the competition and whether the optional keyboard dock is worth the investment...

Red Baron. After the Pro 11 we have a closer look at the 13-inch Red Edition. How much polish can an elitist business notebook handle? How much performance can the just 10 mm thin base unit keep cool? Our review gives the answers.

Gaming package. A matte 17.3-inch Full HD display, an Intel Core i7-4700MQ and a GeForce GTX 765M are the key features of the MSI GE70. The gaming notebook wants to conquer the games room and convince us with its design and extensive features. Did MSI pay attention to the system noise and the temperatures?

The better Nexus. For a year it was very hard to get a high-quality tablet for less than 200 Euros (~$265) without the Nexus 7 branding. Right at the launch of the second generation Nexus 7, Asus now offers its own tablet for 149 Euros (~$197).

Multimedia all arounder. With the N550JV, Asus releases a new edition of its multimedia series. Powerful hardware should attract buyers: a Haswell CPU and a GeForce GT 750M GPU deliver high performance. In addition, it features a great IPS display (Full HD). Our review reveals whether the computer left a good impression.

A brute in a suit. A slim 14-inch laptop with an allegedly weak integrated graphics processor that could be a rival to the cluster of multimedia competitors, is that really possible? Schenker's S413 proves: Intel's latest Iris Pro Graphics 5200 boosts the power of integrated graphics solutions to a whole new level.

Run-of-the-mill. Avid readers know it. You will usually find a concise word describing the reviewed device here. But, what shall we do if the smartphone does not stand out from the crowd and hardly offers any distinct feature? This is the case here.

Larger variant. With a new Haswell CPU, a GeForce GT 750M and a number of design tweaks, Asus is trying to keep its multimedia series up to date as well as on par with the competition. Our review will show whether the N750JV manages to live up to these expectations.

Tab, the third. Samsung has something for everyone in its tablet portfolio: the Galaxy Tab 3 8.0 is aimed at users who are looking for a medium sized tablet and can do without pen input. Confidently, Samsung wants 299 Euros (~$397) for it - an appropriate value for the money?

Haswell. The name of Intel's new CPU generation has been branded in our minds. After meticulous preparations, we reviewed 13 test samples with the new chip in June. Initially, we focused on the Core i7. However, Apple's new Air comes with a Core i5. In addition, we tested many new high-end GeForce models, from GTX 760M to GTX 780M combined with Extreme quad-cores.

Large screen on a budget. The Toshiba C75D-A7286 is an AMD-based 17.3-inch notebook and part of the manufacturer's "budget-conscious" C-series. Does this large-screen desktop replacement with AMD Quad Core A4-5000M APU deliver enough performance to handle mainstream tasks?

Delicate Butterfly. The new Sony Pro series shines due to its impressive technical specifications. Our test model is slim and offers decent battery life and nice performance. It could very well be the ideal companion on-the-go. In our review, we will see what this model has to offer.

Affordable productivity. Lenovo’s latest update to the ThinkPad Edge series brings with it incremental hardware updates and some fresh connectivity options. Can it stand alongside its competition?

Energy saver. A work device runs the whole day - so it would be nice if it were energy efficient and also easy on your wallet. The ATIV Book does just that and concentrates on office basics like a matte display, good input devices and low emissions. Are we perfectly happy?

Please touch. Asus introduces a refresh of its VivoBook S551LB using the latest Haswell processors, which is to boost the multimedia laptop to new fame. The VivoBook is even apt for up to date games owing to the midrange GT 740M graphics card. Windows 8 facilitates using a touchscreen.

The price is right. AMD has launched a counter-strike against Nvidia: The Radeon HD 8970M should bring new impetus to the high-end range. Our article particularly focuses on two questions: Is the performance closer to the GeForce GTX 770M or the GTX 780M? Did AMD manage to provide a well working driver?

IdeaPad plus touch. Since the advantages of Windows 8 only really come to the fore with a touchscreen, Lenovo installs this operating system on its U410 Touch. The IdeaPad is rather conservative otherwise.

Tempting. New case, new name and new components: Alienware risks a lot to offer the best gaming notebooks in 2013. The integrated features won't be easy to beat for the competition. Despite its 14-inch form factor the notebook can be equipped with a high resolution anti-reflective display and a GeForce GTX 765M. A well balanced package or just an overpriced beauty?

Premium or mid-range? The Ascend P2 fuses a large screen and a powerful SoC underneath its black plastic casing. It is not quite clear what the device aims to be: Upper mid-range or lower premium sector. Compromises have to be made in some areas. Find out just where in this review.

One plug to rule them all. While traditional ThinkPad laptops have always been afforded the luxury of a built-in docking port, ThinkPad Edge owners have had to survive with less-than-ideal USB-based solutions. The ThinkPad OneLink Dock looks to change all of that by way of a proprietary combination charging and data port. Is it worth your time?

Cheap office notebook. The new models of the Lenovo G500s series are notably slimmer than models of previous series. The specs of our test sample are all right: Pentium processor, 500 GB hard drive, Windows 8, 399 Euros (~$527). The test uncovers whether only the case was scaled down or if the user has to live with other cutbacks.

Not quite your ordinary tablet. 11 becomes 13. How large does a slider convertible have to become in order to allow its user to work comfortably with Windows? How sturdy is the hinge? And what kind of performance levels can be expected from the Haswell ULV CPU? We've got the answers.

Cheap and matte. Fujitsu's Lifebook AH series was designed for those who want to save money. Now those looking for a matte display also get their money's worth. We explored what else the Lifebook AH502 features.

Dell is quick... and offers one of the first business notebook based on the latest Intel Haswell architecture. For 1,860 Euros (~$2455) you get a powerful Intel Core i7-4800MQ in combination with an AMD Radeon HD 8790M and a small SSD.

The experiment continues. Lenovo's IdeaPad Y500 made quite a splash when it was introduced some time ago: the 15-inch multi-purpose system offered a second Nvidia GPU as an option. The new IdeaPad Y510p has updated hardware and now features a GeForce GT 750M SLI instead of the GeForce GT 650M SLI. Can the dual-DirectX 11 notebook threaten the established high-end competition?

A phone with an X – will it succeed? The Chinese manufacturer ZTE is expanding into foreign markets. The 4.5-inch, mid-priced Grand X Pro smartphone is to help achieve this. We examined whether it might just be a home run.

Down to earth. No gaming ambitions, no high-performance: Lenovo's IdeaPad S300-MA14CGE simply wants to be a slim, lightweight computer that manages everyday tasks on the go. Our review update reveals whether it does this well.

Inexpensive AMD netbook. At only $280 retail, the Asus X401U is one of the least expensive 14-inch netbooks. However, does the dual-core Zacate processor offer enough performance for daily use?

Tough choice. You want to buy one of the new MacBook Air models? Good, so you have already made your decision. But some agonizing questions remain: i5 CPU or the more powerful i7 chip? 128 GB SSD or even the 256 GB drive? Our review should give you some assistance.

Ambitious mid-range device 4.6-inch display with HD resolution, powerful hardware and a design similar to the Xperia Z top model's: At the first glance, the Sony Xperia SP appears to have all advantages on its side. Our test uncovers what the smartphone can really do.

Little giant. Not long ago, it would have been unthinkable to give a 4.3-inch smartphone the title "Mini" - but times change. The new Galaxy S4 Mini is a smaller version of the current Samsung flagship. Can it live up to the Galaxy S4 name?

Pocket-Windows. Acer offers a small tablet (8.1-inch) with standard Windows (no RT version) for 329 Euros (~$433) and Microsoft Office 2013 (Home and Student) as a free addition. Our review will reveal whether the Iconia W3-810 is a universal and compact companion or Acer had to make drastic cuts for this price.

To be handled with kid gloves. DevilTech combines high-tech components with a plastic chassis. The cutting-edge Intel Haswell CPU and a GTX 760M are supposed to turn the Fire DT14 into a tempting offer for gamers. But is the case sturdy enough to protect the precious innards?

Battery Life Extensions. Traditionally, Apple products have long product cycles and are only upgraded conservatively here and there. Thus, it does not come as a surprise that the MacBook Air 13 is the spitting image of its predecessor. In the following review, we will take a close look at what has changed on the inside.

Liquid and good? Acer's Liquid E1 Duo is a dual SIM smartphone with a 4.5-inch IPS display, a Mediatek MT 6577 SoC including a PowerVR SGX531, and 1 GB of RAM, that is positioned in the fiercely contested budget class below 200 Euros (~$263). In addition there are 4 GB of storage space that can be expanded via a microSD card and Android 4.1, Jelly Bean. Our detailed review shows whether this mix rocks.

Gaming powerhouse. Schenker Technologies goes all out with their XMG P723. While a quad-core processor and a Full HD display might not be that out of the ordinary, a configuration with two GeForce graphic cards is not something you see every day. Does the SLI configuration make any sense or would a single GPU be the better choice?

High performance for little money? Affordable yet powerful - this pretty well summarizes Huawei's promise for the Ascend G510. We tested whether the 4.5 inch-entry-level model for a low 160 Euros (~$209) meets this claim.

Mega-sized and mega-good? Users who think that 5-inch smartphones like the HTC One are not quite big enough will be delighted with Samsung's Galaxy Mega and its 6.3-inch display. In the following review, we'll discover that the phablet has more to offer than just a large screen.

Inexpensive business Ultrabook. The 21 mm thin business device from Asus has a 15.6-inch display and combines an Ivy Bridge processor, Nvidia's GT 740M and an SSD cache storage solution with a premium aluminum case. You can buy all that for just 650 Euros ($~851), but what are the drawbacks?

War is taxing. With their new title Company of Heroes, the Canadian developer Relic wants to reach the top of the real-time strategy game charts. Alongside the pure gameplay, the title's visuals are also supposed to enchant the senses. Has the developer stepped up the hardware demands too?

Handy touch-ultrabook. Asus upgrades a simple 15.6-inch office ultrabook with a touchscreen and calls the whole thing Vivobook S500CA. The laptop proves to be quite energy-efficient owing to the ULV processor and is to achieve satisfactory battery runtimes. Whether the Vivobook is compelling can be read in our test report.

Multimedia update. Samsung updates the inner components of its multimedia series 5. The exterior remained unchanged: case and connectivity are the same as the predecessor's. Inside, the Intel i5 was replaced by an i7, the GeForce GT 630M by a 650M. In addition, a display with HD+ resolution was incorporated. We check whether the performance improved.

The Asus Fighter Jet. Each iteration of the core Asus G Series gets better and better and the G750 series is no exception. The ROG branding has yet to let us down as we find out in this review what the new 2013 models bring aside from the obvious Haswell and GTX Kepler refreshes.

Iconia basic. Windows alongside decent computing power packed in a quality aluminum tablet featuring a colorful and bright IPS screen. A keyboard-case combination is also included. There is barely a contender that can beat the current price of just below 600 Euros (~$769). Bargain alert?

BlackBerry strikes again. May was dominated by Samsung, but June is quite different. The BlackBerry Q10 clearly wins in smartphones, but, we could not elect a sole winner in tablets. Three devices including the waterproof Sony Xperia Tablet Z share the first place.

Solid basis. Toshiba's HG5d series is especially designed for the OEM market and could be used as mass storage devices in notebooks in the future. Transfer rates of about 500 MB/s, 256 GB capacity and a low weight are a sound basis. We checked whether the solid state drive is totally convincing.

A gentle breeze. Not a beat too late in the circannual rhythm, Apple updates their MacBook Air series. New on the inside: Current Haswell ULV processors. Out of keeping with the trend Apple themselves initiated, the new Air doesn't have a higher resolution display this time; the panel remains the same. Are the updates enough for the device to deserve to be called "new"?

Low-key multi-talent. The One K56-3F is a 15-inch all-purpose notebook equipped with a Haswell processor, Nvidia's attractive GeForce GT 750M GPU, and a razor-sharp Full HD display. How does the One K56-3F stack up against competitors like the Asus N56VB, the Samsung Chronos 770Z5E, and the Toshiba Satellite P70?

Slim all-rounder. Sony's latest coup follows current laptop trends in the way of a slim casing and Full HD touchscreen. That is accompanied by a gaming-suitable graphics core and a hard drive with a high memory capacity. Seen as a whole, Sony should have a good all-round laptop in its range. Our test report clarifies whether this is true.

The new tablet icon? Acer's Iconia A1-810 is a 7.9-inch Android tablet with "Uncompromising Performance and Extreme Mobility" – at least according to the manufacturer. We will check if this is true in our review.

High-end for the masses? For little money, the user gets a 5.0-inch touchscreen which has a Full HD resolution, a quad-core processor, 12.6 megapixel camera, and Android 4.2. Not all that glitters is gold? Let's take a closer look …

The perfect balance? Lenovo’s IdeaPad Yoga 11S is a combination of their Yoga 11 and Yoga 13, lifting elements from both to rebalance battery life, performance, and versatility. Was it worth the effort?

Affordable entertainer. HP's seven-inch Slate 7 tablet brags to be an able companion for all multimedia situations and is partly available for far below 150 Euros (~$195) despite this versatility claim. We took the manufacturer at its word and tested the Slate 7's capabilities in our test course.

An inexpensive 3D projector. A compact 1080p DLP projector for office or home cinema starting at 750 Euros (~$960)! Sounds almost too good to be true, doesn’t it. Our review reveals any drawbacks in this deal.

For future engineers. 400 Euros (~$515) for an office notebook sounds very appealing. Compact measurements combined with a mid-range processor of Intel's second generation should help the thesis to be successful. The price is low, the display mediocre and the performance seems to be sufficient for numerous applications. A bargain for the student without deep pockets?

Linked. The Huawei MediaPad 10 Link not only enables connecting via Wi-Fi but also via mobile internet. Besides that, it belongs to the more affordable 10-inch tablets. Does this inevitably mean that compromises have to be made or can the MediaPad 10 Link also cater for demanding users?

Unlimited mobility. A tablet for the meeting, a notebook for the workspace - Lenovo's ThinkPad Helix is supposed to combine the advantages of both devices. The clever ultrabook hybrid ignores conventional wisdom concerning convertibles, leaving a lasting impression due to its mobility and office strengths.

Calm before the storm. The wait for Intel's Haswell generation shrunk the volume of our devices for review - we had a grand total of 15 test devices this month. But we certainly didn't have a dearth of exciting convertibles (an 18-incher!), elegant subnotebooks (IPS panel & Radeon HD 8570M), and even a flat business classic with an HD+ panel.

Back to its roots. BlackBerry has successfully launched the vanguard of its new OS Blackberry 10 with the Z10 model. Now the Canadian manufacturer introduces the Q10 - a purebred business smartphone. The hardware is largely identical, but the Q10 wants to impress with a physical QWERTY keyboard and a 3.1-inch touchscreen. So, is this new blackberry mix tasty?

Something good and inexpensive. The Sony Xperia L is another smartphone from the Xperia series. Our review shows us that this phone is good bang for buck and you would not go wrong if you go for it.

Ultimate Haswell. Equipped with some of the fastest mobile Haswell and Kepler chipsets currently available, the Eurocom X3 shows no mercy when it comes to application and gaming performance. We take a closer look at the hardware and its performance advantages over the previous Intel and Nvidia generations.

Low-cost touchscreen. Laptop sales are in decline, the outlook is gloomy. Can a touchscreen help reverse this trend? HP certainly hopes so, equipping a 450 Euros (~$588) device with such a panel. But does this also equate to a possible tipping point for the cheap laptop segment?

Another newcomer.The manufacturer Galapad/Palit presents their first tablet to the market and gives it a rather unimaginative name. The hardware configuration isn't groundbreaking either, but as a complete package it could be persuasive - and it has some nice surprises in store.

AMD Elite graphics. HP offers the Elitebook 8570w mobile workstation in several configurations. This one is a combination of the Intel Core i5-3360 CPU, AMD’s professional FirePro M4000 graphics and the mandatory Full HD screen. This is certainly not the ultimate hardware money can buy, but for an affordable workstation, we try to evaluate its suitability.

Fast and affordable? Compared to the high-end Samsung 840 Pro, the 'non-Pro' 840 uses the same controller but considerably less durable TLC (Triple-Level Cell) NAND Flash modules. Should that stop you from investing in this economical SSD? Keep reading to find out.

Big, bigger, Huawei Ascend Mate. Although officially a smartphone, the Huawei Ascend Mate could pass easily as a tablet with its 6.1-inch display. But as the test shows, the XXL phone has quite a bit more to offer than just its imposing screen.

Slimmer, lighter, better? Toshiba has placed their notebooks on a diet in the latest update to the S-series. But does the sleeker form factor translate to a better overall product, or is there more to the story?

Battery giant or performance dwarf? With the E430 Optimus L3 II, LG is introducing a smartphone to the market that is not only extremely cheap (99 Euros, ~$129) - it also promises to have an extremely long battery life. But what can the little squirt do besides "battery life"? That's a question for our review to answer.

There is something for everyone. Schenker's XMG A523 offers cutting edge hardware in a plain casing. While the GeForce GTX 765M is not removable, the other components can be configured to one’s liking. This new Clevo barebone upgarde for the new Intel processors and chipset is put through its paces for you readers.

Mobile business companion. Asus offers a slim, lightweight 15.6-inch office laptop with a matte display for business customers. Thanks to its ULV processor, the PU500CA promises to be an untiring workhorse. Our review will show whether this claim is met.

Brilliant speeder. Apart from DiRT and F1, GRID is one of the most important franchises from Codemasters. The second release not only promises more racing action, but also a better look. We squeezed ourselves into the luxury cars and determined the hardware requirements of the game.

Tough cookie. Outside of the mainstream models 15R and 17R we discovered the basic version of the current Inspiron 15. It presents itself without alu-finish but in bare plastic. Technically speaking, the cost-cutting Inspiron is even a bit better than the polished R sister-models. Roughly trimmed plastic for an overcharged price of 540 Euros (~$720) or a well concealed bargain?

Haswell rocket. A monster in every respect: 32 GB memory, 1256 GB storage (+ expandability) and a Full HD display. Acer's 17-inch device with a brand-new quad-core CPU and Nvidia graphics is made for power users.

Samsung offensive. In May, the South Korean group sounded the charge in the categories smartphones and tablets. However, the long awaited Samsung Galaxy S4 top smartphone could not win first place in our top 10. The other devices were not as exciting as the S4. Nevertheless, it was not boring in May.

Aluminum bullet. Toshiba's Satellite P70 series is equipped with the brand new Haswell processor and Nvidia graphics card. We were given a first look at the pre-production model. Our review reveals whether the notebook knows how to please or not.

"Compact business partner with a bit of everything". HP has constructed a ProBook Light according to this slogan: solid aluminum surfaces, few connections, functional input devices, middle class performance, full security features and an average display panel. Is this enough to convince in the business world?

All-in-one Wireless Docking Solution. The underutilized 802.11ad band is put to the test with Dell's first wireless docking solution to provide untethered USB 3.0, HDMI, DisplayPort, Ethernet, and audio. It's only compatible on select few Dell notebooks for now, but is this wireless standard ready to replace your USB cable?

Slim, sleek and chic, MSI want you to make their subnotebook your daily companion. Clad completely in white, it should even be appropriate for the fashion-conscious "cosmopolitan ladies". Our test exposes whether the device performs well and for whom it is suitable. We can reveal this much: the S30 is really swift.

Strong. MSI launches an updated version of the popular GT70 gaming laptop based on the brand new CPU and GPU generation. It spoils gamers with a quad-core from Intel's Haswell family and a high-end scion from Nvidia's GeForce 700 range. We snatched the GT70H-80M4811B, which is one of the premium models, and put it through its paces.

The Lumia for everyone? The 720 slots neatly into the Lumia line of Windows Phone smartphones. The differences are not immediately apparent to the buyer when you consider the cheaper Lumias. We will evaluate this 4.3-inch device and whether it would be smart buy or not.

Inexpensive all-rounder, capable of running games. Asus is outfitting their 17.3-inch notebook with a Core i3 processor and the brand-new GeForce GT 720M GPU. Summed up, that means an inexpensive (450 to 500 Euros, ~$595 to ~$661) all-round notebook capable of running games. Our review reveals whether the computer really is a persuasive offer.

All-round ultrabook. Hewlett Packard now has a slim, 15.6 inch ultrabook that even allows playing up-to-date 3D games in its product line. Storage is not an issue either owing to the large hard drive. That sounds as if HP has built the perfect laptop. Our test reveals whether the ultrabook is really compelling.

Big "L". This time around, we are testing the Optimus L7 II, the larger of LG's two new mid-range second-generation Optimus L models. Its smaller sibling was a decent smartphone, albeit a bit unremarkable - does the same hold true for the L7 II as well?

The mainstream "L". LG not only delivers high-end smartphones like the LG Optimus G or the Google nexus 4, the Korean company also produces smartphones for the medium price range. We have a closer look at the new 4-inch mainstream device, the Optimus L5 II.

Working on a budget. For around $500 USD, the Latitude 3330 aims for students and small business users on a budget who may not want the fancy features of a typical Latitude E series model. But what else has the model sacrificed to get to that low of a price point? We take a closer look at the most affordable Latitude yet.

Silent gaming. As usual powerful gaming notebooks start appearing after the launch of a new CPU generation and delight gamers with new models. One of them is the Asus G750JX gaming notebook.

IPS update. Do you want to attract envious looks? Everybody's got a MacBook Air? Asus' sleek dandy is available starting at a low 900 Euros (~$1188). Now even with a quad-core processor and color-intensive IPS display in Full HD. Do we now know the bliss of satisfaction?

All-inclusive. Dell calls its 18.4-inch tablet an All-in-One. We review the XPS 18 with a Core i5, 8 GB memory and a combined storage solution with an HDD and an SSD. Continue reading to find out how it performs...

Performance gain. The new generation of “Core i” processors is another major evolution that will create some waves in the industry. This generation features some heavy modification on the power front which allows the processors to be the most frugal yet. This will be an overview of the architecture and the performance of the revised platform.

There is more in it than you think. Intel has always focused on its CPU technology which has made it the undisputed leader in the market. But the GPU has always been the foster child receiving very little love until the introduction of Ivy Bridge. We will see if the latest Haswell chips with the HD Graphics 4600 can compare to the best AMD offers on its APUs.

The next generation. The Schenker XMG P703 is one of the first gaming laptops to ship (at least optionally) with Nvidia's brand-new GeForce GTX 780M - which, in combination with a Haswell processor, promises unprecedented performance levels. But how far ahead of the previous generation will these new laptops land?

High flyer. What happens when Nvidia's fastest laptop graphics card, the GeForce GTX 780M, teams up with Intel's brand-new Haswell quad-core CPU? Exactly, an extremely potent high-end laptop is created. Despite its limited chassis volume, the 15-inch One K56-3N2 offers great performance. We are taking a more detailed look at its virtues and vices.

Heavyweight champion. The One K73-3N comes close to being the ideal desktop replacement. A quad-core CPU, high-end graphics card, four RAM slots, and up to four hard drives: the 17-inch notebook comes with a plethora of features. What else does the system offer besides outstanding performance?

Platform-update. Schenker Technologies offers a 15-inch gaming notebook with the W503, which is equipped with an ultra-modern Haswell processor and a high-end graphics card from Nvidia's GeForce 700 generation. We examined the advantages and the disadvantages of the desktop replacement.

Matte - metal look - multimedia. Nexoc offers highly configurable notebooks. This also holds true for the new multimedia laptop M512. So does our test device with a Core i7 processor and an Nvidia graphics card offer a convincing performance?

Quad-core midget. With the new Acer Aspire V5-122P, we get to test the first notebook with AMD's brand new, energy-efficient A6 quad-core processor even before the official release. Here you can read how well the 11.6-inch midget with its IPS touchscreen does. But psst, everything is still top secret!

Nokia's declaration of price. With an RRP of below 200 Euros (~$262), the Lumia 520 is a very affordable Windows Phone 8 smartphone. The somewhat more expensive Lumia 620 has only been available for a short time. But which entry-level model should the buyer opt for? The variety of choice makes it hard to choose, but notebookcheck.net is here to help.

High-end power. The GeForce 700 series is a brand new graphics series for gaming enthusiasts. We were among the first editors who reviewed the new high-end GeForce GTX 765M, GTX 770M, and GTX 780M models. Learn whether the naming is justified or the new models only fine-tune an existing architecture.